ASReview review
A free, customizable screening tool for researchers who want open-source control.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ASReview is open-source software for AI-assisted systematic literature reviews, developed by Utrecht University. It is designed for researchers, information specialists, institutions, students, and developers handling large-scale literature screening and evidence-synthesis workflows. The software uses active learning to prioritize potentially relevant records while keeping a human reviewer responsible for screening decisions. Users can import datasets, apply tags and customizable screening settings, and export projects in CSV, RIS, or XLSX formats.
The product’s strongest advantage is its breadth of deployment and control. It runs through web, Windows, macOS, Linux, API, and self-hosted options, with command-line access and local server deployment available. Technical teams can select and customize AI models, run simulations and performance validation, and connect workflows with EndNote, PubMed, and reference managers. Crowd-screening supports multiple reviewers, making the tool suitable for collaborative projects as well as individual screening work.
ASReview is completely free and open source, with no licensing fees or subscriptions. Its focus is narrower than a full literature-analysis suite: the published feature set centers on screening, prioritization, validation, project management, and export rather than AI-generated summaries. Choose it when transparent model control, local deployment, and an adaptable screening workflow matter more than a guided commercial experience. Researchers seeking paper summarization should choose a product built around AI summaries instead.
ASReview pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and open source with no licensing fees or subscriptions
- Active learning prioritizes potentially relevant records
- Supports customization, validation, API, and self-hosted deployment
- Where it doesn't
- Primarily focuses on screening and prioritization
- Does not provide AI-generated paper summaries
- Customization and self-hosting suit technical users more than casual users
ASReview fact sheet, pricing and score →
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